PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Sunderland v Tottenham - as it happens from the Stadium of Light

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Sunderland host Tottenham to start the weekend's final action of 2012. The Black Cats are in high spirits ahead of the Stadium of Light clash after defeating champions, Manchester City on Boxing Day. But they face another tough test in a Spurs side who ripped apart Aston Villa 4-0 last time out.

94min One last chance for Sunderland as they win another free-kick on the left. Cuellar though isn't the man you want on the end of it and he fires wide.

92min Corner to Sunderland as Wickham fires a shot against a Spurs defender. But the danger passes as Lloris is fouled.

89min Mignolet prepares to launch a goal kick forward but he's delayed as Bale is replaced by Gylfi Sigurdsson to a cacophony of boos.

Into five minutes of stoppage time as Sunderland push again...

87min Martin O'Neill urging Sunderland forward in their push for the equaliser - a dangerous cross from Johnson on the left is hacked clear by the Spurs defence in the nick of time.

85 min Bale, his every touch now jeered like a pantomime villain after that dive, shoots tamely into the hands of Mignolet. That was greedy to be honest.

83 min Sub for Spurs as Scott Parker replaces Lennon

82min Another great opportunity for Spurs to seal it - Sandro flicks through to Adebayor but the striker can beat Mignolet. The Togolese has been profligate today.

80 min Bale controversy - the Welshman storms forward and is adjudged to have dived in the penalty area. Looks like he was fouled though by Gardner as their knees collided. It means Bale will miss the New Year's Day match with Reading.

79min Sub for Sunderland Wickham replaces Larsson

78min Sunderland building up a head of steam now as we head towards the last ten minutes. Adebayor heads clear from right in front of Lloris from a wide free-kick.

Dembele receives a yellow card for conceding it.

75min That's a rare sight. Bale runs and runs but doesn't release the ball in time and just, well, runs out of pitch...

Sub for Spurs Clint Dempsey on for Jermain Defoe

72min An unnecessary free-kick conceded by Spurs and Lloris is required to punch out Larsson's delivery.

67min Sub for Sunderland Another injury concern for Sunderland as goalscorer O'Shea goes down. He hobbles off and Titus Bramble replaces him.

64min Bale is at risk of a suspension, but that doesn't stop him kicking out when he loses possession in the corner. No punishment this time.

61min One Stephane Sessegnon won't want to watch again later - a wild hash of a shot wide when Fletcher was waiting in the middle.

Sub for Sunderland Frazier Campbell replaces Kilgallon

59min Another astonishing miss by Spurs! Gareth Bale rampages 70 yards down the centre of the pitch, controls in the box and squares to Defoe. He has only to place it either side of Mignolet, but he places it straight at the keeper, who dives and keeps it out.

Colin Young tweets: 'He does it every game. Brilliant save from Simon Mignolet and the Sunderland fans stand (oh no!) and sing their new song for him.'

55min A little moment of concern for the home fans as Fletcher goes down injured following that last move. Looks as though he'll be able to continue though.

53min This slow-burner of a game is sparking into life now, with Johnson forcing a low save from Lloris at his near post following persistent work from Sessegnon on the wing.

Outstanding play from Aaron Lennon and this game has flipped on its head within six minutes of half-time.

He collected the ball, burst forward through the challenge of Kilgallon and finished clinically.

GOAL! Sunderland 1 Tottenham 1 (Carlos Cuellar own goal 47)

What a great headed finish by Cuellar! Shame it's in his own net. There was little danger posed by the inswinging corner but Cuellar inexplicably jumped and sent a bullet header past Mignolet, who stood no chance.

47min Some early Tottenham pressure in this second-half, with Cuellar clearing a Bale free-kick.

46min We are back underway on Wearside, with Sunderland leading by that O'Shea goal.

Half-time: Sunderland 1 Tottenham 0

That goal from O'Shea, of all people, was a real sucker punch for Spurs, who dominated the half.

44min Spurs are rocked on their heels but intend to finish the first-half strongly as we enter two minutes of stoppage time. Defoe is denied a free-kick right on the edge of the area after going down under challenge from Colback.

GOAL! Sunderland 1 Tottenham 0 (John O'Shea 40')

Back in the side and in amongst the goals, it's John O'Shea who pounces from close range to score his first goal for Sunderland.

A free-kick on the left flank by Larsson caused problems and after Lloris saved an initial effort, the ball fell out for O'Shea to net with predatory instinct.

It came totally against the grain of the first-half.

37min Sunderland awaken from their slumber. After Dawson concedes a foul, Johnson plants the free-kick onto the head of Cuellar and his flick lands on the roof of the net.

33min This is becoming very one-sided. Spurs have won five corners so far, Sunderland haven't won one. Adebayor really should have given them the lead, a poor miss from such close range.

Celebration time: Sunderland mark John O'Shea's goal

30min Great chance for Spurs! Defoe curls an innocuous shot towards goal and Cuellar completely misses his kick. Adebayor is five yards out and must score... But he somehow shoots against the bar!

28min All Tottenham now, constant pressure down the flanks. Cross from the right and Bale heads a chance wide of the target.

Opener: John O'Shea nets his first goal for Sunderland to give them the lead on 40 minutes

Costly: Emmanuel Adebayor strikes the crossbar from about five yards out

25min Sunderland surrender possession and a ball through finds Adebayor. Mignolet does well to narrow the angle and block the Tottenham striker's shot.

24min Sportsmail's Colin Young tweets on the standing situation which has been making the news this week: 'Large groups in the stadium of light south stand still standing and
another group of 10 have walked out after frank discussion with stewards.'

22min Sessegnon is making a habit of drifting out to the right to collect the ball. This time, his high cross is caught by Lloris.

20min Hit by Sandro from the corner of the penalty box after Bale keeps a lightning fast move alive. A slight deflection off Cuellar but Mignolet adjusts his body and collects after a slight fumble.

Stretch: Jermain Defoe is tackled by Sunderland's Carlos Cuellar

Cuellar has remained down and is receiving a bit of attention from the physio. But he's quickly up on his feet and we won't be needing Titus Bramble.

18min Cross by McClean from the left, all the way across to Johnson whose cut back evades Fletcher and Sessegnon, who were static in trying the reach it.

Christmas cheer: The two managers, Andre Villas-Boas and Martin O'Neill, exchange festive greetings on the touchline before kick-off

15min Great burst by Aaron Lennon down the right flank, but Dembele was a bit too physical as he tried to reach the pull-back and it's a free-kick to Sunderland.

13min Cross from the right by Sessegnon, seeking out Fletcher at the far post but it's gathered by Lloris. Some nice interplay down the right there by the home team.

12min Bale being urged to shoot by the travelling fans every time he comes forward. Sunderland are obviously seeking to bully him out of the game, committing two men on him every time he gets possession.

7min Defoe trying to wriggle clear and get a shot away but Jack Colback is like a smothering wet blanket to the danger.

Flyer: Gareth Bale tries to get between Craig Gardner and Sebastian Larsson

12.45pm Here we go! Let the festive footie continue...

12.43pm Lots of focus on Tottenham's number 11, Gareth Bale today. Martin O'Neill needs to have a good game plan to stop the in-form midfielder.

The two sides are lined up on the centre circle for a minutes' silence to remember all those associated with Sunderland who have passed away in 2012.

12.41pm The two teams have emerged from the tunnel at the Stadium of Light and are lined up for the customary pre-match handshakes.

12.35pm The form guide for this fixture doesn't offer us many clues as to which way it'll go. Here are the last five meetings:

Aug 07 - Sunderland 1 Spurs 0

Mar 09 - Sunderland 1 Spurs 1

Apr 10 - Sunderland 3 Spurs 1

Feb 11 - Sunderland 1 Spurs 2

Apr 12 - Sunderland 0 Spurs 0

12.25pm Today's round of fixtures is the last time that players currently on four yellow cards for the season can receive a fifth and get a one match suspension.

After tomorrow, the criteria switches to accumulating ten yellows before April 2.

Sunderland have no players walking this disciplinary tightrope, but Gareth Bale, Sandro, Jermain Defoe and Jan Vertonghen (if he comes on) need to watch their step for Spurs otherwise they'll be out of the New Year's Day match with Reading.

12.22pm If this match is an hors d'oeuvre for a live match this afternoon, you might want to double check it's still going ahead after a number of Football League and Conference were postponed because of waterlogged pitches.

12.20pm Sunderland, meanwhile, are 13th but in buoyant mood after their 1-0 win over champions Manchester City on Boxing Day.

12.13pm Spurs can leapfrog London rivals Chelsea into third place - for 24 hours at least - with victory here today and are in excellent mood following their 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Boxing Day.